I am no longer part of the young crowd. Haven’t been there for quite some time. I’m not exactly part of the old crowd yet but I am closing in on them. Let’s just say I am getting nearer to the old generation and more removed from the younger. Which means I have had time to learn a lesson or two and I am going to share one lesson learned now. It also means I am young enough to know this will probably fall flat and not be received. But I’m going to share anyway. After all this time on this planet, here is my one piece of advice: show up, do the work, give your best.
Continue readingadvice
Words of encouragement
If I could visit my younger self – the girl in the midst of the refiner’s fire – I would give her words of encouragement. And, since I know that girl all too well, I’d know exactly what to say.
Continue readingBest advice
I am full of advice. That’s because I am an observer not a participator. From the sidelines, I have a different perspective than being in the field. Ask me anything, I’ll explain my view to you. That’s what I do, I attempt to solve things.
Continue readingHow do you like your eggs?
Do you remember the 1999 movie Runaway Bride? It was the second collaboration of Julia Roberts, Richard Gere, and director Garry Marshall. Here is a short synopsis for those who might have slept since 1999 and have forgotten this romantic comedy. Woman dates a few different men, becomes engaged at different times to each of the men, and ends up leaving all of the men at the alter. Woman meets a writer who intends to use her story for his own self-interest. One thing he notices about her is she likes her eggs cooked the same way her fiancée at the time does. Spoiler alert! Woman and writer fall in love and decided to marry in a ridiculously short amount of time. Surprise! She leaves him at the alter, also. But in the end, they do get together and even marry. My younger self from 20+ years ago did not like that surprise. My wiser self (20+ years older) now recognizes that as the best part of the movie. She leaves him at the alter to discover who she is and how she likes her eggs cooked independent of any other influence. In other words, she comes to know herself before getting into a relationship. This has become something I strongly advocate.
I Would Never!
Adopted: When and How to Tell Your Child
Recently I had a conversation with a friend. Her oldest child was adopted as a baby by her husband and would soon celebrate a birthday. She wondered when she should let her child know about the adoption. Continue reading
Road Trippin’ and Bondin’
Someday, I plan on writing a ‘how-to’ book for serving in the Young Women organization. I served in the ward Young Women presidency just over 4.5 years. That’s a drop in the bucket really. There are some women who have served in the Young Women organization for over 20 years. Compared with them, I’d still be considered a rookie. A newbie. So what advice could I possibly have to offer?
Missives to the Missing: The Hardest Lesson
This is the third and final installment of my advice to my children. You know, the ones I don’t have. But this is what I would tell my child if I had one to bore to death.
You’re a good kid. You’re also my kid with my genes flowing through you. As much as you don’t want it to be, I’m sorry to say, you’re going to have some of my attributes. It’s inevitable that you will act like me in some matters. Sorry I didn’t give you more to work with.
Missives to the Missing: Learning the Language of the Spirit
This is the second letter of advice to my phantom child. Sound weird? I’ve done weirder things than dole out counsel to a phantom child. Sad, yes, but true. So, this is the talk I’ve never been able to have with my 14 year old child – who doesn’t exist.
Missives to the Missing: Going to School
According to my Great Life Plan I drew up during my naïve teenage years, my oldest child would have been about 15 this year. But, plans don’t always work out. I will never get a chance to dispense my indispensable advice to any inattentive teen. In my upmost humble opinion, I have some pretty good guidance that’s just sitting in a metaphoric attic gathering dust.
ck's days 